Sled



Aug. 2,1949. A H, L, MAGUN 2,477,699

. SLED Filed Oct. l0, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 2, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLED Harry L. Magun, New Haven, Conn. Application October 10, 1945, SeralNo. 621,543

12 Claims. l

This invention relates to sleds or like articles, and more particularly to a device of this kind which may be called a ski-sled, in that it is normally supported in operation upon a single relatively broad runner which extends longitudinally of the body of the sled and substantially centrally of the body.

Means are provided, however, to steer the sled, and for this purpose two relatively short or steering runners are pivoted to the body of the sled, one adjacent each side edge, and near the front portion thereof, so that these runners are positioned adjacent each of the two front corners of theloody.

A sled of this type may develop greater skill on the part of the operator in its handling, and will, therefore, be more attractive in some respects than the ordinary sled provided with two longitudinal side-edge runners. Moreover, according to the present invention the sled may be made very cheaply and economically, and at the saine time be of durable construction so as to give good service.

One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sled of the ski type, in that it is normally supported upon a single central longitudinally disposed runner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sled of the type described, with steering mechanism so that, while it will normally be supported upon a single relatively broad runner, it may be readily steered and kept in a desired path.

A still further object oi the invention is to provide novel steering mechanism for a sled having a single centrally disposed longitudinally eX tending supporting runner.

To these and other ends the invention conn sists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sled embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the front portion oi the sled;

Figs. 3 and 4. are sectional views on lines 3 3 and 4 4 respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a part of the steering mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view oi a modified form of my invention, in which the steering mechanism diiers from that illustrated in Figs. l to 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged sectional views on lines 8 8 and 9 9, respectively, of Fig. '7;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged front elevational view of the sled shown in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 1l is :a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the steering mechanism in another position.

To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings a sled comprising a body portion Ill having secured thereto substantially centrally thereof and extending longitudinally thereof a relatively broad runner I I. As will be observed, this runner extends upwardly at the front and back of the sled, as shown at I2 and I3, and then extends laterally below the body I 9, as shown at I4. In other words, this runner may be an endless strip of material having its upper side I4 secured to the body I9 of the sled, and its lower side II serving as the runner to form a single support for the body. While the runner II is shown as relatively broad as compared to the runner of the usual sled, its width, of course, may be varied depending upon the age and the skill of the user. This runner may also `be provided with a groove I5 in its lower face, which will cause it to cling to the snow upon which it is moving and follow a relatively straight course.

Adjacent each of the forward corners of the body I0 of the sled. is pivoted a steering runner. As shown in this ligure of the drawing, these runners comprise a downwardly curved portion I6 adapted to contact the surface over which the sled is moving, which portions are curved upwardly adjacent the front of the sled and then rearwardly and substantially horizontally, as shown at Il, to a point adjacent the front of the body I Il, where they are vertically oiset, as shown at I8, and then extended rearwardly below the body, as shown at I9. These runners are pivoted to the body at 20, so that they may be free to swing and guide the sled in the desired path.

Adjacent the rear end of the portion I9 of each of the runners is pivoted at 2l one end of a strap 22, shown more especially in Fig. 6 o-i the drawings. This strap is provided with a central at or horizontally disposed portion 23, at each side oi which portion it is twisted to provide vertical portions 24 and again twisted to provide horizontal flat end portionsy 25 which are pivoted to the portion I9 of the steering runners. It will also be noted that the member 22 is inherently resilient so that it may be sprung in one direction or the other, particularly with respect to the vertically extending portions 24, and will tend to return to its original shape.

To the portion 23 of the strap 22 is secured the rear end of a lever 21 pivoted to the body of the sled at 28 and having secured at its front end at 29 the central portion .of a steering bar or handle 30. This bar may be provided with hand grips 3l of rubber or the like, and the body I0 of the sled may also be provided with rubber grips 32 by which the sled may be held in the hands when in use.

It may be noted from Fig. 3 of the drawings, for example, that the steering runners I 6 are not only considerably shorter than the supporting runner II, .butare .also supported at .a slightly higher level so'thattheir lowersufaces are closer to the body of the sled than is thelower surface of the runner II. Therefore, the runners I6, when the sled is being supported upon the runner I I, will be only lightly engaged, if engaged at all, with the surface over which the sled is traveling, so that the support of the sled withiits passenger will be carried substantiallyentirely-by thercentral runner II. When it is desired to steer the sled, however, it may be tilted slightly 'to `:one side, thus causing the runner on that side to lfengagefrmly with the suriace'of the snow. LEach of .these steering '.runnersmay be provided with a downwardly projecting `V-shaperl :rib unen'iber 34 which extends -longitudinally of .the runner and which will causeit to grip the .surfacaofthe .'snow yand properly steer the :sled in the desired path. As shown, for example, injFigs. V3 vand y:4,

the .steering bar v3l! will lie substantially Vupon 'thehorizontal portion II fof .the runners 1.6, .and will lie below the 'horizontal 4:portion I4 "of the supporting `runner `:I I.

-As will 'be obvious, :when the handle bars Vare Vturned so as to 'swing'itli'e lever'ZI'aboutthepivot vr28,the strap22 willbeexed tocause'the steering runners I5 to be turned in one direction or the other about the pivots 20. As the steering mechanism is pivoted to 'the :body .at 'three points, namely, 20, 2`I and `r28, it 'would 'belocked tothe "body were it not forthe flexing of the strap 22. 'When the 'steering ybar .is released, the 'inherent resiliency of the strap will causeit to assume its normal position and thus bring the runners 'back to a neutral position, in which'they will tend 'to remain until forced out rof this position.

In Figs. 7 to 11 ofthe .drawings I have 'shown a modified form of my invention which is substantially like that shown in Figs. '1 tto 6 with 4the exception ofthe steering mechanism,so that Vthis form of `my invention comprises 'a sled body IIL-an lelongated central runner I'I and a'steerlng runner vIt pivoted ateach of the `forward'corners of the body. These steering runners are shaped 'substantially like those previously described, ex- 'cept that, as will'be hereafter explained,lthe.steer ingbars are secured 'to rthe runners. These fb'ars Ymay lie against the vertical portions I8 iof 'these runners, and therefore these-vertical portionsare disposed slightly forwardly o'f the ron'tfedge of "the body I0, as shown, 'for example, in Fig."9.

The steering `mechanism in' this instance Acomprises la pair of steering bars 36, one rigidly secured upon the horizontal portion I1 lof each of `the steering runners `II, so that movement lof these bars swings vthe steering runners about their pivots 2U. Alink 31 is pivoted at 38'to the upper horizontal portion Il lof the main runner forwardly of the sled body, Vand each 4end of this linkis provided with a slot39 `to'receive a pin '40 secured at the inner fend of 'each of the Tbars 36, so that when the bars are'movedfabout the pivots 2Q the link 3l will also .be moved about Aits pivot 33, .thus causing the "barsto move through 'equal angles. In order vto bring yabout this effect, 'it will vbe .noted that the slots 39 are Vslightly cam `shaped so y'as to be .curved 'rearwardly 'adjacent their inner ends. This 'will refect .equal "angular movements ofthe steering-runners I6 in .the same direction when either 4iol? the `bars `36 is moved, .as shown .in Fig. .11.

In order that the steering barsimayibeiresiliently urged to a neutral position, a spring strap member 4I is secured by means of a bracket 42 to the upper portion I4 of the supporting runner, and the free ends of this strap extend laterally in :each direction to engage the inner ends of the steering bars 36. As stated, this strap member QI is resilient, and when the inner end of either bar is moved inwardly toward the body of the sled the corresponding end of the strap III will be sprung rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 11. When pressure upon the bar 36 is released, this end of the strap will tend to return to its normal position, thus bringing the steering mechanism back ito aneutral position, which will usually be the position in which the runners would guide the sledin a straight path.

It will be observed that in both forms of my invention I have provided a sled in the nature of 'a A ski-sled, in that it is supported upon Ya central runner and is provided adjacent its forward-edge with two `relatively short steering runners pivotally connected to the body of the sled. 'Inaddition, means vin the form of handle bars or steering :bars .are provided for turning the steering runners about 'their pivots, and in each case there is resilient or spring means provided to normally hold Ythese steering runners and the steering mechanism in a neutral position.

While I have shown and described som-e preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is capable of modification and Variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the claims.

WhatI claim is:

l. A sled having a flat body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and having upwardly and inwardly extending end portions secured to the body to rigidly secure the runner to the body in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners separately pivoted on vertical axes to the forward vportion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about .their pivots.

2. A sled having a flat body, a supporting run- -ner extending longitudinally of the body and having upwardly and inwardly extending end portions secured to the body to rigidly secure the runner to the body in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of Steering runners separately pivoted on vertical Yaxes to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said rst runner, and steeringmeans for moving said last-named runners about .their pivots, said steering runners being .substantially shorter than the supporting runner.

3. A sled having a ilat body, a supporting run- .ner extending longitudinally of the body and having upwardly and inwardly extending :end ,portions .secured .to the body to rigidly secure the runner to the body in spaced relation thereto, said runner being-positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners separately pivoted on vertical raxesfto the forward portion of the body one upon each'side of said rst runner, and steering means .for moving said last-named irunners about their pivots, 'the lower surfaces of said steering `runfners being closer to the sled body than the lower surface of the supporting Lrunner.

4. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, a steering bar pivotally secured to the body, and means connecting said bar to both said steering runners, said means including a flexible member rigidly connected with the bar and pivotally connected to the runners.

5. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, steering mechanism comprising a lever pivoted to the body and extending longitudinally thereof, a steering bar secured to said lever forwardly of the body, and means connecting the rear end of the lever to said steering runners.

6. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said iirst runner, steera ing mechanism comprising a lever pivoted to the body and extending longitudinally thereof, a steering bar secured to said lever forwardly of the body, and means connecting the rear end of the lever to said steering runners, said means comprising a resilient member pivoted to the steering runners and secured to said lever.

7. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said rst runner, and a steering bar movably connected with the body and operatively connected to the steering runners, said steering runners having horizontally disposed portions forwardly of and displaced downwardly from the sled body, and said bar being disposed above said portions.

8. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a, pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about their pivots, said means comprising a link pivoted to the main runner forwardly of the body portion, a steering bar secured to each of said steering runners, and means operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said steering bars to said link.

9. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway betweenl the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about their pivots, said means comprising a link pivoted to the main runner forwardly of the body portion, a steering bar secured to each of said steering runners, and means operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said steering bars to said link, said means comprising a pin in one of said members and a pin-receiving slot in the other of said members.

10. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about their pivots, said means comprising a link pivoted to the main runner forwardly of the body portion, a steering bar secured to each of said steering runners, and means operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said steering bars to said link, said means providing a pin in one of said members and a pin-receiving slot in the other of said members, and said slots being cam shaped to effect equal movement of said bars and steering runners.

11. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about their pivots, said means comprising a link pivoted to the main runner forwardly of the body portion, a stering bar secured to each of said steering runners, means operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said steering bars to said link, and resilient means normally urging said steering runners to a neutral position.

12. A sled having a body, a supporting runner extending longitudinally of the body and rigidly secured in spaced relation thereto, said runner being positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the body, a pair of steering runners pivoted to the forward portion of the body one upon each side of said first runner, and steering means for moving said last-named runners about their pivots, said means comprising a link pivoted to the main runner forwardly of the body portion, a steering bar secured to each of said steering runners, means operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said steering bars to said link, and resilient means normally urging said steering runners to a neutral position, said means comprising a spring strap member fixed at its central portion with relation to the body of the sled and having free ends engaging said steering bars.

HARRY L. MAGUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,117,807 Diener et al Nov. 17, 1914 1,219,042 Pritchard Mar. 13, 1917 2,175,628 Forbes Oct. 10, 1939 2,247,182 Bosca June 24, 1941 2,266,842 Angell Dec. 23, 1941 2,404,402 Porter July 23, 1946 

